Ikea and Amateur Dramatics

What a fab weekend we have had. Saturday morning we took our son and his girlfriend to Ikea :-) Our son, M, has memories of being taken there as a child [and not really enjoying it :-)] but his girlfriend, G, had never been before. They are setting up a little home together early next year and are in the planning and gathering the essentials mode so had requested a visit. G was so excited at seeing all there was to walk round. There were oooos and awwws and "would we have room for one of those in the ....". There was measuring and debating and notes taken for the isles they were to be collected from in the warehouse. It was a real pleasure to watch.

I had, of course, my own list of wants too and managed to pick up all I went for. A new cupboard for my sewing threads because the old one is just too small. A beautiful little wooden dolly's bed for our Granddaughter, little P's Christmas pressie. Nanny can now, of course, sew and knit to deck it out with bedding :-) I also managed to get a picture frame I have been hunting for since buying my embellisher. I wanted one with space between the glass and the mount to allow space for 3D embellishments so I can embellish a picture....watch this space. In all it was a very successful visit.

Saturday night was the last night of my son M's amateur dramatic group's play "Fly in the ointment". It was at Bayston Hill and had been performed on Thursday, Friday very successfully with great reviews. M was playing the part of Albert the pizza delivery boy and frequently had to say "my mum used to say". [It looks like he listened at some point then ?!] All I can say is I have paid to see professionals act and this was far more enjoyable. We all laughed 'til faces ached. It was performed by just 6 actors/actresses and was brilliant.....Well done son, I'm soooooooo proud of you.

Sunday was, of course, a day of cardboard boxes, screw drivers and putting together of our purchases. I only have to ask and my supporting other half sets to. I am now the proud owner of a new set of drawers for my cotton reels [ if only we had remembered to pick up a set of drawer knobs!]. The new drawers are twice the size of the last ones and he has fitted them to allow yet more storage space for boxes etc so I'm thrilled to bits [I am easily pleased]. Thank you D for all your hard work. Love you to bits xxxx

WOYWW....yes it's that day again :-)

What a difference a week makes. I can't explain why but, I do know that, when I need rest my door bell stays quiet, the customers don't come and my workload lessons. Feeling as rough as I was last week I was really grateful for the rest. Now, thankfully, I'm feeling rather better and think someone has told the world because most of them arrived at my door yesterday :-) My customer count is now up to 894!

Today I have to make 7 white tablecloths and 12 pale green ones for a newly built conservatory/restaurant at one of our local pubs, plus shorten 3 pair of trousers and re-elastic the bottom of a jacket. It will be a busy day hence my early blogging so will do my catching up on my blogging friends at break times during my day [yes, I do allow myself coffee breaks :-) ]

It's certainly a varied week as I have also made a blue Charleston dress for a ballroom dancer........

......... and a top out of a mini skirt for wonderwoman!

Never a dull moment at Sewing by Annie's :-)

It's a girl....

Isn't technology amazing. My daughter went for her gender scan on Saturday and wahooooooooo it's a little girl, a little sister for P. We are all soooooooo excited. They didn't have such clever things when we had ours but I'm really happy to move with the times. They found out the sex last time and it allowed us to really get to know little P before she was born. They were able to get all those pretty dresses ready and really prepare her world. They just have to think of a name now and we can really get to know this one..... And of course what is most important is they were able to reassure mum that the baby has no physical deformities and, as far as they can see is perfectly normal. Even down to they could see she was sucking her thumb :-)

Fairy Bearies....

As promised I am now ready to introduce you to the Fairy Bearies :-) ......and I bet you all say awwwww cos they are just soooooooo cute.

They insisted I took one of them together before introducing them individually.

This is little Fayette Fairy. She is a pretty pink bear and chose to wear her pastel flowered dress for the photo shoot.

.......and this is little Eolande Fairy. She loves her little silver headband and white lacy dress.....Now sold

They are both looking for new homes so please shout up if you are interested. They are both approx 3" high and are £12 plus postage.

Thank you one and all...

I've been awake off and on all night listening the the gales blowing outside and suffering the cramps going on inside. The antibiotics are far from kind on the tummy but hopefully they are doing their job. I have switched on my computer to find I am totally overwhelmed with kindness and good vibes. Bless you all. Even my son has let the world know he loves me [not that I doubted it for one minute] :-) I am one very lucky girl. I'm certain with all the good vibes I will feel much better very soon [I really hope so]. I sat felting last night and will introduce you to the fairy bearies later. They are sooooo cute so well worth the wait. Watch this space.............

WOYWW....a blue day :-(

I know, I know I'm a late starter today. Please forgive me but I'm feeling pretty s*** today. Had to go to see Dr this morning and she says I have a pelvic infection [ouch!]. Felt very much like being in labour to me and there is no chance it's that! :-( She has given me 2 courses of very strong antibiotics and charged me £14.40 for them! I cant afford to be ill too often at that rate :-)

So......today has been a day of doing not much of anything but I'm not one to sit idle so my desk started off like this.........

......... and ended up like this. Meet Eric the elephant :-)
Twiglet came to look after me and keep me company so a huge thank you to her for making a miserable day better for me.

Christmas is coming :-).....

I have been busy making advent calendars and was asked to blog my photos. I am selling them for £35 -£40 each [plus postage] but only have 2 of each design in stock and they are selling fast :-) They are made from printed fabric, wadded and with little pockets for you to fill with sweets or little gifts.

Santa one is approx 20"x 27 1/2" with hanging loops. £35 plus postage.

Toy shop one is approx 20" x 21" with hanging loops and each pocket has a flap to keep it's contents hidden. £40 plus postage.

I have also felted a little robin for a lady and thought you might like to see it before it flies off :-)
I am happy to make more on request. These are £10 plus postage.

Can I say a huge thank you for dropping in on my blog and for all the lovely comments you leave me.

A beary weekend for me.....

I was asked for a deep pink bear so have had a weekend felting and thought I would show and tell before I start my week's sewing. I haven't given them names yet but they will all come boxed [when my new boxes eventually arrive later today!] and with their own adoption certificate. They are £10 each plus postage and are approx 2 3/4" - 3" in size [this does vary depending on the wool used]

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And because I fancied something different I made this little turquoise one too. Such a cutey too.

Over the top award!!....

Thanks Julia for the award. It seems I now have to answer the list of questions with only one word. Ooer its really not easy but I will have a good go :-)


1. Where is your cell phone? here

2. Your hair? grey

3. Your mother? Caring/Departed

4. Your father? Soulmate/Departed

5. Your favorite food? chicken

6. Your dream last night? felting

7. Your favorite drink? coffee

8. Your dream/goal? spread happiness

9. What room are you in? sewing room

10. Your hobby? craft

11. Your fear? loneliness

12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? here

13. Where were you last night? here

14. Something that you aren't? thin

15. Muffins? probably [see above :-)]

16. Wish list item? time

17. Where did you grow up? here

18. Last thing you did? made a customer smile

19. What are you wearing? lilac

20. Your TV? off

21. Your Pets? asleep

22. Friends? many

23. Your life? blessed

24. Your mood? content

25. Missing Someone? yes

26. Vehicle? Focus

27. Something you’re not wearing? gloves

28. Your favorite store? Watson and Thornton's

29. Your favorite colour? blue

30. When was the last time you laughed? 2 min ago

31. Last time you cried? 11th Nov

32. Your best friend? Hubby/Twiglet

33. One place that I go to over and over? France

34. Facebook? shared

35. Favorite place to eat? anywhere

There you go. Mostly one word answers and now you know a little more about me so let's find out a bit more about a few others shall we? And these certainly deserve the award.
How about....Twiglet - the quick snapper.
Mountainear - the one with the glamorous ass.
Friko - the poet
Kathy - the card maker
Kaz - the wonky crafter

Molly mouse for Bayou...

Good morning Bayou. I have finished the little grey mouse for you and hope you like her. She is quite a character and, like most of my felties, I really think shes gorgeous [ I struggle to part with most of them].

It's THAT day again.....WIYWW....

Whats in my workroom today???

Well, Ive been busy with my puppets over the last few days and thought I would share them with you. I was originally commissioned to make my first set of 6 puppets for a company from London. They used to write stories to be used for small puppet theatres and I was asked to design and make the 6 characters in the story. This blossomed to making puppets for use in schools and I now make puppets to order, really for anyone that wants them. My eldest daughter is a teacher and she has a set of them all [and more!] and uses them on a daily basis in school. She tends to say "Oh Mum I'm doing ...........this term and I could really do with a ......puppet" and I'm off on my next creation. The puppets are only suitable for children over 3 years due to small parts but children of all ages just love them. I have several in stock that sell for £30.00 plus postage each and am happy to make something individual [I always love a challenge]. I will now introduce you to some of them......

These are 2 of my Mrs Oakley the Farmers wife [yes I do make a Mr Oakley but at the mo have none in stock but happy to make if wanted].











Sherbet the sheep and Cassy the cow.













Dotty the dog and Hatty the hen.













Ruby the rat and Reggie the reindeer.













And last but by no means least this is what I call a giggle of Iggys. This is Iggy the Iguana and I have to say one of my favourites.






I also make Mr Oakley the farmer, Clive the clever clown, Polly the parrot, Ellie the elephant and a Percy the pig and will consider making what ever your challenge is within reason. If I have the pattern they are £30.00 each plus postage but if not then I charge accordingly for the extra work involved. There may be slight variations with each puppet made according to the fabric available at the time.

Welcome to the Moo-ed gallery

Muddyboots loved my little felted cow [as seen here on the left] and asked if there was anything else in the Mootiful range so of course Twiglet and I put our heads together and would now like to take you through the Moo-ed gallery.

£10.00 each plus postage







We proudly present Cassy cow the hand puppet made entirely to my own design and one of a wide range of puppets [watch this space for more tomorrow].





£30.00 plus postage.










A fleece finger puppet with hand felted cow's face.



£3.00 each plus postage









A cute fleece child's hat and scarf . Suitable for approx 1-3 yr old. Have given the first one made to my little one year old Granddaughter tonight and it fits her perfectly. :-)





£6.00 per set plus postage










A gorgeous little lined dolly bag with elasticated top. Approx 5" across the base and 7" high.



£6.00 each plus plus postage








Hand felted brooch,

peg clip and



fridge magnet.

£2.50 each plus postage.

The Owl and the Pussycat.......

As requested I have been at it again and this is what I've come up with. As before they are both up for sale [but I think Bayou has her eye on the owl]. Please shout if you want either as I am more than happy to make more if these sell [no two are identical though as they are hand felted]. They are all approx 2 3/4" - 3 " in size and sell for £10 plus postage. Thanks for looking. A x

My weekend felties....

On seeing my felted bears and cow I was given a few suggestions so have had a wonderful weekend designing and thought I'd show and tell :-)

My felted Horse,





















Pig,





















Frog




















and ladybird.







They are all for sale at £10 each plus postage so if anyone wants to make a claim to any of them please leave me a comment or email me. Thanks.

Moo....ve over bears...

Muddyboots left me a comment on my blog asking whether I make black and white cows. Well, I hadn't before but I love a challenge and this is what I've made. She is hand felted and sits about 3 1/2" tall to the top of her horns. Let me know if this is what you are looking for Muddyboots. :-)

Bears find new homes...

Two of my little bears have been adopted thanks to making an appearance on my blog. There are others needing good homes so shout up if you are interested.






Phoebe bear is on her way to Belgium as I type and...........



















........... little Ralph bear will hopefully go tomorrow. I'm certain they will be very happy in their new homes.

WIYWW.....[what's in my workroom wednesday]

I have been asked to blog a little about what my embellisher does so [as it is what is on my work desk this morning] I thought today would be a good day. If any of you has done hand felting this just does the same only much quicker and of course it only does flat felting and wont make the little teddies I make by hand. There are no needles to thread as none are used.







The machine has 5 very sharp barbed needles that push fibres from the fabrics/wool used through into the material below. On the outward stroke the needles just slide out as the barbs only point downward so these fibres are left in the material. This locks the two fabrics together and no sewing is required. Natural fabrics lock together best but it claims it can be used on most fabrics and trial and error teaches you which are best to use...I'm still learning. The effects are amazing. You can use fabrics, wool rovings and threads so it's possible to 'paint' pictures in threads.
I was bought 2 amazing books for my birthday and these have inspired both Twiglet and myself to explore the possibilities. We are really loving every minute of our Monday fun days.




For those who have asked to see my little hand felted bears they have all gathered on my ironing board for a photo shoot. Several have already found new homes and at time of publishing this blog these are waiting for new adoptive parents. I never make two exactly the same but if I sell one that is really wanted I am happy to make a similar one. Just shout. :-)
n.b. these were not made on the machine as their tummies were just too fat to fit under the needles :-)


p.s. Oops, as Elizabethd pointed out, I have not put the price of my bears.....they sell for £10 each and average about 3" sitting height. They are keepsakes/collectables and unsuitable for children to play with. They are made from wool rovings, details are stitched on after making and they have beads for eyes. Please email me if you are interested in adopting one.
p.p.s. They are all house trained :-)

Monday fun day.....

Yes, it was one of those days. Twiglet and I have had another fun day. We had a catch up with a friend for the morning over coffee and the afternoon we 'played' with the embellishers.

This is my latest creation in the making. Beads and stitches still to be added and then it needs mounting on the front of the bag but I'm rather thrilled with how it's progressing so thought I would show you. Hope you like how it's coming together. Twiglet is busy making brooches and I'm sure at some point she will show and tell too. They are really gorgeous so well worth waiting for.



My 'to do' rail is full of sewing jobs so alas that is what I will be doing tomorrow but guess that's the price I pay for a fun day.